The bible is our guidebook to eternal life. It contains within its covers all the necessary information we need to understand the mind of God and to develop a character well-pleasing in His sight. It is our “how to” in all matters spiritual and eternal.
Consider the four-fold value of Scripture in this passage in Timothy.
Doctrine
First, Scripture is profitable for “doctrine.” Doctrine means principles or tenets — the foundation teachings upon which our attitudes and actions are based.
For example, the Bible reveals much information about the character of God. Is God vindictive? Does He demand the sacrifice of our firstborn children? Is God one of many deities, each holding power over some element as the sun, rain, fire, love, war, evil, etc.? Without the comprehensive divine revelation concerning the Father Himself, we would be left to construct our own god and, as consistently happens with mankind, he would turn out to be a mirror of ourselves.
To understand what Scripture teaches about the nature and character of God is fundamental equipment if the man of God is to worship aright.
Reproof
The apostle Paul says the Word is also profitable for “reproof.” It is so easy for us to be critical of others. How readily we find fault with our brother and look down on his shortcomings. If we don’t make known to him his weaknesses, who will? The Word, of course!
Have you noticed how painfully unvarnished the Bible depicts its men and women of faith? The mistakes of the greatest characters are set forth with stark frankness. What is the need for such forthright detail? Surely for our edification that we may have a word of “reproof.”
Consider a point which stands out with startling clarity. David’s one sin with Bathsheba caused a shadow of sorrow to fall across the remainder of his life. Jehoshaphat’s marital alliance with Ahab was a disaster. The wicked influences of Jehoram and his wife Athaliah wreaked havoc in Judah. And Moses, the servant of the Lord, was excluded from entering the promised land because of his presumptuous sin of striking the rock twice. The point is surely clear that our impulsive actions carry with them some grave and long-term consequences. Here is a powerful word of reproof that hopefully will benefit us.
We also note much reproof in the New Testament. The apostles, for example, were outstanding men and the Lord chose them because of their quality and potential. Why is so much negative comment recorded about them? It’s actually emphasized. Peter’s weakness, not his courage, is highlighted when his faith collapsed while walking on the water: “0 thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matt. 14:31).
We remember the word of reproof to doubting Thomas, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 21:29). And the apostles’ repeated refusal to believe Christ’s direct teaching about his impending death receives special emphasis.
In the epistles, many problems are uncompromisingly exposed and entire ecclesias fall under the stern word of reproof. Interestingly, a number of these ecclesias were composed of a great many converts coming out of paganism; instead of getting a pat on the back, they receive sharp reproof. In our present environment of “positive reinforcement” and political correctness, the forthright language is remarkable.
Observe Paul’s words to the predominantly Galatian ecclesias reproving them for slipping into Judaism, “0 foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…” (Gal. 3:1). Moreover, with the exception of Philadelphia, the ecclesias in Revelation are reproved for their weaknesses and warned of the consequences of neglecting their problems (Rev. 1-3).
All of this reproof is there for a reason — the man of God will read it and learn. By doing so, he is better equipped for the race of life and is relieved of the burden of criticizing others — he can let the Bible do it.
Correction
When we come to the realization that we are completely lost without the Lord’s salvation, how do we correct the situation? Who would ever have thought of the divine solution for salvation — repentance and baptism into the saving death of a crucified savior? A crucified savior who submitted to crucifixion! To the Greeks it was foolishness and to the Jews a stumbling block but to the man of God — it was wisdom, power and righteousness.
What would we think of to reconcile us to God without the revelation of scripture?
- Perhaps the practice of extreme self denial like living a monastic life in virtual isolation from human contact. Or perhaps we would settle on self-inflicted punishment.
- What about making a once-in a-lifetime pilgrimage to a holy shrine? Again, this would be glorifying to the flesh, putting the emphasis on what we do and on what we accomplish.
- Perhaps the answer might lie in sacrificing our children as the heathen did.
Yet there is not one or many humanly-devised ways to correct our condition before God; there’s only one way and the Bible reveals that way. “This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:11-12 NKJV).
The formula for correcting our lost condition before God was set forth by Peter on the day of Pentecost. The people eagerly asked the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? The unhesitating answer left the multitude in no doubt, “Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2: 37-38,42).
Instruction in righteousness
Finally, Paul tells Timothy that the Word is profitable for “instruction in righteousness.” How should we fashion the course of our lives? What should we do and say, and how should we deport ourselves? What is God’s standard of righteousness?
Some would say we should pray five times a day facing the site of a holy city. Others might require we keep special days, rituals, dietary laws and observe certain prohibitions. Still others would opt for a humanitarian gospel, insisting we devote our energies and money to the sick and suffering. Others would require we give the best of our goods to the church.
Scripture makes it abundantly clear, however, that God is primarily concerned with a humble and contrite heart that relies on Him in trouble and offers to Him praise and thanksgiving: “Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. ..to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (Psa. 50:13-15; Isa. 66:2). The New Testament summarizes this requirement in one word — faith! God doesn’t need money and He can cure all problems Himself. What He wants are hearts devoted to Him who will be satisfied seeking His glory for eternity.
So far as our service to others is concerned the first order of importance is to our families, “If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (I Tim. 5:8). A number of passages in Timothy address the need to attend to the care and welfare of family members.
Next in importance is the spiritual family. Timothy speaks of the care of widows and in Acts 6 we find a detailed case history of how to solve a communal problem.
After the care of the family and house of God, we must not neglect the needs of others; as Paul exhorts the Galatians, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
The Word sets forth the necessary information for our “instruction in righteousness,” God, family, ecclesia and the world. If we get this priority confused, we can run into problems.
Conclusion
Truly, all Scripture is given for our spiritual instruction. Isaiah spoke the same message centuries earlier, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20). And Jesus shortly before his death prayed to His Father, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17 NKJV).
Now as we draw near to the Lord’s table, we rejoice that our Father has provided all the information necessary that we might be completely equipped for every good work.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One